Finned head - Questions

[Robin (UK)]

Guys,

I know there was a thread recently, discussing using shorter plugs for finned ali heads.

I'm getting ready to fit a Fenton head and have a question about the head gasket.

I was always led to belive that a copper gasket, used with an ali head and iron block, would cause electrolitic degradation of the head, so which gaskets have you guys used?

Also, do I need to consider anything else? Length of head bolts, etc?

Thanks.

Robin.

[martybose]

On an Edmunds head the plugs are 1/2" reach instead of the stock 3/8" reach; I don't know about a Fenton head.

I used a Felpro head gasket with my Edmunds aluminum head. It's copper on one side and composite on the other. I put Gasgacinch goop on the copper side, left the other side dry, and haven't seen any problems yet.

The head bolts were all stock length on the Edmunds head; again, not sure on the Fenton.

The only thing I had to do on my head was file the thermostat gasket surface to get it perfectly flat so that it would seal; other than that I just dropped it on, torqued it down, and drove it!

Marty

[Robin (UK)]

Thanks Marty,

That's great information.

Can you recommend a supplier for that head gasket?

And can anyone else add any more advice?

Thanks.

Robin.

[Justin Slingsby]

How often do heads need retorquing? Awhile ago I milled my stock head and put in ARP studs. Every once and awhile when the weather gets cold enough, stuff shrinks and at least two of those studs leak coolant up onto the head. Should I pull them and reseal them or is it something more severe? If I run the motor they seal right up and no problem, but let the motor sit long enough and they start weeping again..

[bob westphal]

Justin,

Resealing the studs might work. I have found that if I put a sealer on the threads of the studs in the block, I lessen this problem.

I have had several MoPar flatheads that had water leakage around the headbolts. I just retorqed them and had no further problems. I had a Packard engine, I rebuilt, that had leakage problems due to the old studs stretching. You already put in new studs so they probably aren't stretching. However its possible that the threads could be pulling. if they are, continued retorqing could make this worse. Your head could also be slightly warped. Myself, I wouldn't do anything as long as they continue to seal when warmed up. If that ceases, I would pull the errant studs and put sealer on the threads. and then work from there if that doesn't cure the problem.

Bob

[Justin Slingsby]

Yeah I have retorqued them a couple of times now. Just taking them up to 70lbs. I always do it with the motor warm. Maybe I will check it now with the motor cold and see if that produces a different effect.

[bob westphal]

Does anyone have an extra finned head they don't want?

Bob